debuysere



5 Sheets-S-heet l1.

(No Mbael.)

` C. DEBUYSRE. FINGER EXEEGISING DEV'IGE.

Patented `Feb. L16, 1886.`

HiT

' (No Model.) 5 sheetssheet A2.A C. DBBUYSRE.

f FINGER EXEEGISING DEVICE. No. 336,216. Patented Feb. 16,"18'86.

v'0f -Q/Mg, MM M' v im JEM@ N, PETERS, Pholb-Lihugmpher, Washington, D. C.

(No Model.) 5 sheetssheen 3.

C. DEBUYSRE.

PINGBRBXBRGIslNG DEVICE.

No. 336,216.V Patented Peb. 16. 1886.

@M 1 M zw# Q/ i @u m (N0 Model.)

C. DEBUYSRE. FINGER EXERGISING DEVICE.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

G. DEBUYSERB. FINGER EXEEGISIANG DEVICE.

No. 336,216. Patented Feb. 16, 1886.

N. PETERS. Pnmomhugnphgr, wumngton. D.C.

Cri

' Ntra. TAT-ES` 'Artnr @ri-*ica CARL DEBUYSRE, OF STUTTGART, VRTEMBERG, GERMANY.

FINGERE ERCISING DEVICE.

SPECEFECATON' fomiing paxt'xof Lette-rs Patent No. 336,216, dated February 16, 185,6.

Application filed December 2'?, 1894. SerialNo. 150,959. (No model.) Patented in France Decemln-r 3, 158i, No.'165,7-l1; in Germany .December 4, 1884, No'.31,7 63, and in England April 11, 1885, No. 4,501.

To all whom it may concern.- Y

Be it known that 1, CARL DnBUYsain, engineer, a subject of the King of Vrtember'g, residing at Stuttgart,Viirtemberg, German Empire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Training Fingers for Musical Instruments; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, referencerbeing had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference vmarked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention has for its object to provide means whereby the flexibility of thejoi nts ol' and the said invention consists'in a machine or apparatus for obtaining the above-recited results, substantially as hereinafter fully described, and as specifically' set forth in the claims hereto annexed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 isa vertical longitudinal section of my apparatus. Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate the same by a top plan view and a front elevation, respectively. Fig. 4 is a detail view, on a larger scale, showing two of the keys in side elevation and the actuating-drum in section. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of one of the keys, also on an enlarged scale. Figs. 6 and 7 are sectional elevations of a part of the apparatlis, illustrating modified ,arrangements of the actuating-drum. Figs. 8, 9, and l() are detail views illustrating the construction and mode of pivoting the thinibles. Fig. 1l is a part of the periphery of the actuating-drum, illustrating the form of'theslots for the cam-blocks. Figs. 12, 13, and 14 are respectively a side view, an under side view, and a transverse section of one of the cams; and Figs. 15 and 16 are detail perspective views of the clamp'- -ing devices for holding the hand of the pupil.

In the above-described figures of drawings like letters of reference indicate like parts. The apparatus is supported from a suitable stand, s, the top B of which constitutes the base-plate from which thel operating mechantism is supported, and on which said mechanyism is longitudinally adjustable. A shaft, S, mounted below the table-top B, carries a iiywlieel, W', land abelt or cord pulley, l?, operated by crank, connecting-rod, and treadle, like a sewing-machine, and serves to impart mot-ion to the levers of the apparatus, as hereinafter described.

j To prevent backward movement of the Iiywh eel, I employ a brake consisting of an eccentric rubber disk, w, pivoted in a suitable bracket in' proximity to the wheel. or, ifdesired, the usual ball-brake employed on sewing-machinesmay be applied to the wheel W. Upon Vthe table-top B is arranged a board, K, that here serves the purposes of a keyboard, from the lateral edges of which project cheeks or side'pieces, k, in which are mounted two shafts, S and S2. The shaft S carries a drum, D, to which are secured blocksor cams C, for purposes presently explained;y and said shaft also carries a belt or cord pulley, P', beltedto pulley P on driving-shaft S. The actuating blocks or cams C may be secured to vthe drum -D by means of screws, and adjusted thereon, as desired, relatively to the rythmical movement to be imparted to the levers by means of the special construction of drum and cams. This adjustment is, however, greatly facilitated. Thedrum D, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4, and l1, is provided with a series of slots, D', formed in parallel'rows in its pe-v riphery, the diameter of the slots being greater at one end thereof, and at the' opposite end the cams @have on their under side a double- T projection, G, the stem c of which fits the the cross-bars c', lying across the narrow portion d of said slot.

To prevent the accidentaldisplacement of the cams, I apply thereto `a spring, c2, the free end of which, when the cam is4 properly. locked to the drum, bears against the forward edge of the slot, or that edge which faces in a direction opposite to that of the motion ofthe.

IOO

drum, so that when the cams impinge upon the lever ends the pressure will be exerted upon the edge of the slot which faces the direction of motion, thereby insuring the retention of the blocks in properposition.

On shaft S'Z are loosely mounted any desired number of .levers L, that serve the purposes of the ordinary keys, the short arms Z of which lie in the path of the cams C on drum D. The lever-support also carries the mechanism for securing the hand of the pupil, and said support, together with all the operative devices of the apparatus, is adj ustable'longitudinally'on the table-top B by means of a setscreW, b, that passes through a slot. b', in said tabletop and carries a Winged nut. b2.

, The object of making the key-board adjustable, as described, is to provide a ready means for regulating the tension of the beltI or cord x, as it is evident that the latter may be tightened or slackened by moving the board K for- Ward or backward, thereby decreasing or in creasing the distance between the axes ofthe beltlpulleys P P. lThe short arms Z of the levers L may be appropriately shapedtha-t is to say, their upper faces made concave to correspond with the convex form of the cams C on drum D. In practice I prefer, however, to providea separate block, L', connected with lever-arm Z by a dovetail joint. as shown -in Fig. 1, or by means ofascrew, Z', as shownin Fig. 4.

lBy the described arrangement of blocks I provide a means whereby any wear in the short arm' ofthe levers L may be readily compensated by inserting a new block at a tritling expense,instead of having to replace the lever by a new one. The downward movement of the long arm of the levers L islimited by a rail, R, that extends entirely across the board K, and to avoid the noise resulting from the impact of the levers with said rail I preferably cover the top thereof with flannel or upholstering r, as shown. This downward movement of the long arm of the vlevers is in/practice made variable, in order to rgive to the fingers of the pupil a greater range of motion or articulation. This is. effected by means of rails R of various elevations, said'rails being interchangeable and adapted to be seouredrto theboard K,or the cheeks thereof, in any suitable manner. For instance, each rail may be provided with -two or more pins, o, adapted to'titinto holes or recesses formed in theboard K; or said rails may be secured to the cheeks k of said board by means ofra screWor,pin,-or in any other manner, so as to adapt the-same for ready removal. To the outer end of-each leveris secured `a thimble, T, into which the end of the finger is placedsaidthimblesbeing articulated and made adj ustable Ain and by the following manner and means, referring .f more particularly'to Figs. 4, 8 9, and L70:

' ''lot'he upper face at the .outerrend of the '.longfarin/of the-lever Lis secnred'a plate, vE, 'in wh'ichiis formed afslot, e, and yupon `said platefis arrangeda s1ide-p1ate,-F, in Which-is` formed Va slot. f,through which passesa guide and set screw, G. the shank of which is screwed into plate E. Th rough plate F passes an adjusting-screw, A, the head a of which lies in a slot, Z2, formed in the outer end ofthe lever and straddlesthe slot e of plate E.

The adjustment of the slide F along the upper face of lever L may be readily effected by simply unscrewing the milled nut. of the adjusting-screw and moving the slide-plate F the required distance and then tightening the same again. The object of this adjustment is to provide a means for varying the distance betweenA the iinger ends when inserted into the thimbles T and the hand-rest, hereinafter to be described, according to the length of the fingers of the pupil. The thimbles 'I are pivoted on apin, t,that has its bearings in lugsf, projecting from the slide F,to adapt said thimbles te assume the proper inclination relatively to the first joint ofthe fingers without cramping the same. In'practice this oscillation of the thimbles inthe longitudinal axial plane of the keys is, however, not sufficient to avoid the cramping of the iingers, especiall-y those that operate the outer levers, said ngers being in a plane lat a 'greater or less angle to the longitudinalaXis of said levers. To avoid this cramping I arrange the thimbles, especially those on the outer levers, to rotate both on a horizontal and vertical axis, as `more plainly shown in Figs. 8, 9, and 1 0. Tothis lend a segmental platep, is counter.- sunk into A the upper face of the slide F,`said plate being arranged to vrotate on a central axis or,pivotp, that passes through theslide and connects the platep thereto. To this plate are secured the bearing-lugs f for the horizontal-pivot-t of the thimbles T. The vertical rotation of the thimbles is limited by means of a stop-plate, p2, against which abut stops on the plate p. The thimbles are provided with a lining of iiannel or analogousmaterial.

The means described for adjusting the thiinbles longitudinally of the levers L may be modified in various Ways. Figs. 6 and 7 theslide-plate F has at its rear end-a vertical projection, f, that has a screwthreaded opening, in Which operates anadjusting-screW,-F, adapted to rotate in bearings fe,-formcd in a like projection, E', at the rear end of plate E. It is obvious that by rotating'the screw Fin the proper direction theslde F lwill be moved toward or from'the outer end -of the lever L.

The levers L, as above stated, are-loosely mounted von their shaft Stand' may be arranged side by side, asis the case in ordinary key-boards.` I prefer, however', to provide 1neans,wit;ha 4viewto employing a less number of levers, forspacing the latter by the interposition of dummiesor spacing-blocks, so that the levers may be adjusted to any desired distancefrom -each other. These spacingblocks--Bare` of thev same width 'as t-he levers IOO IIO

For instance, in

L, theirshortarm b3 being ofthesamevlength f long arm b* is considerably shorter thanv thecorresponding arm of the levers. Each spacing-block or dummy has a vertical projection, B2, thathas atA its lupper end a rectangular notch, Vin which 'fits the shaft S, on which the levers are mounted. The blocks are held against longitudinal displacement during the operation ofthe apparatus by lmeans of a crossrail, B3, that extends across the row of keys and dummies or spacing-blocks, and has on its under side pins r3, that tit into corresponding holes in the board K, as plainlyshownin Figs. 1 and 2.

In Figs. l, 2, 3, and4 I have shown the drum D arranged above the short-arms of the levers L. This, however, is not absolutely necessary, as said drum may be arranged as shown in Fig. 6, the cams acting upon the under side of thelong arm of the levers, and said levers may therefore be fulcrumed on shaft S'l at their rear end. As shown in Fig. 7,anglelevers may be employed and the drum D arranged so that the vcams will act on the short angle-arm ot said levers. To the under side of the short arms Z of levers L is secured a rod, R', to the onteiend of which is -connected one end of a spring, V, whose opposite end is connected to a rod, R2, rthat has its bearings in a rail or bracket, C2, secured to the under side of the table-top or base-plate B. 'The lower end of the rod R2 isrscrew-threaded. and carries a winged nut, lr, by means of which the tension of the spring is regulated. This adjustment ot' the spring is necessary to impart to the levers L the required resistance to downward motion-'such asis usually encountered in the keys ofpianos or other'key-board instruments-and its oh- 40 ject is to compel the -fingers ot' the pupil to overcome said resistance the same as if he were exercising on the keys of a piano.

Upon the outer end ot' the key-board K is arranged a supporting plate or board, H, kthat is adjustable toward or from the leversL byV means of a screw-spindle, h, that operates in a threaded sleeve, h', secured to plate vH. The spindle h is arranged in a slot formed in the outer end of the board K, and is stepped in the rear verticaledge of said slot. The opposite end of the spindle rotates freely in a bearing, h2, through which said spindle projects, and nponits projecting end is keyed au operating-crank, h3.

As shown at in Fig. 3, the boards K and H are connected, like a drawer, by tongueandgroove joint, so as to properly guide the board H and prevent all lateral motion thereof. At each end of the board H isA secured a guide` thereom and,-when adjusted in the proper po-.f

rod I that carriesa verticallyadjustable sition, to be secured thereto by means of a setscrew, m. A screw-spindle, N, passes through and operates in a threaded opening formed in said carriage M, and carries a block, O, the under face of which is ot' a curvature approximately that of the back of the hand. The block OA is connected with the spindle, so that the former will he free to'oscillate on the latter yin directions at right angles to each other, as shown in Fig. l5. A socketed link, n, in which the end of the spindle N is secured by means of a set-screw. n, is pivoted to a link,

o, and the latter to the block O, their respect-4 ive pivot-pins, n o', having their axes in planes at right angles to each other, thus allowing the block O to oscillate in planes at right angles to each other. Therange of oscillation of'the block, if found desirable, may be increased by connecting the same with the spindle by means of a universal joint.

It will be seen' from what has been said that the block 0, which constitutes the upperhalf of the hand-support, has not only movement in two or more directions, but it is 'adjustable vertically, eitherthrough the rails I I on rods l', or by manipulating the spindle N, or both, and laterally ou the rails I, so that said block may be adjusted with great nicety relatively to the hand of the pupil.

screw, q', whose lower end operates in a threaded opening in the plate Q', while its upper-end iinpinges upon the rootof said cavity. By-

the described means the inclination of the block Q may be adjusted within certain lim 'its relatively to the inclination the hand is to have when secured in position for practice.

The block Q is, like block O, adjustable both` vertically and horizontally in the following manner: The board Q serves as a carriage,

and is adaptedto travel along guide-rails U U, securedto the guide-rods I', said rails being constructed and arranged for vertical ad;

When adjusted, the carand projects beyond lthe ra'ls, and carries a jam nut, u', that impinges uponthe under side of said rail, as shown in Figs'. 1 and 3.

By means ofthe described arrang'ementthel hand of the pupil may be secured in any desired fixed position relatively to the levers L without interfering with the necessary movements of the hand during the exercisein' articulation of the 4fingers of the pupikwhile the' block Q maybe adjusted on 'the rails-U, -for the use of either the right or the left hand, by'

The lower halt' of' the hand support or clamp, Fig. 16, is coni-- posed of a block, Q, the upper face ot' whichr is convex, the convexity conforming to that of:

4 y v A 336,216

lifting the carriage Q, with its block Q, .o the rails U, and reversing the carriage, as will be readily understood.

The operation of' the apparatus, in View of what has been said relatively to its construction and arrangement of parts, maybe briefly described,as follows: The cams C are arranged on the drum D according to the exercise in articulation designed for the fingers of the pupil or performer, and the levers L are properly spaced by means ofthe dummies or blocks B. The hand ofthe pupil is next secured in the hand-support O Q, andsaid support is adjusted to the proper distance from 4the lever-thimbles to suit the length of' the fingers of the pupil, who is seated before the apparatus as he would be seated before a piano. The rst joint of the fingers is now inserted into the thimbles T, as shown in dotted lines, Figs. l and 4, and the drum D is rotated by means of' the pedal or treadle. The rotation of the drum D causes the cams G to impinge on the levers in thc order of their relativearrangement, or the rythmical arrangementot' the cams, and elevate said leversevery time a cam passes over their short arm, the pupil himself having to overcome the resistance of the springs V to depress the levers, the same as, in a piano, whereby agreater muscular suppleness or pliability of the fingers is acquired in a much less time than by practice on the piano. Of course it is understood that the tension of the lsprings V is not sufficient to elevate the levers with thengers-of' the pupil inserted in the thimbles of' said levers.

rIhe invention aims especially to the production of an apparatus whereby every possible finger movement required in the perform.- ance on keyboard instruments can be imparted to the fingers mechanically, and the hand at the same time held in the proper position relatively to movements of the lingers.

By means of' the adjustability of the various component parts ofthe apparatus it is adapted yfor use by pupils as well as those more advanced in the art of playing, whether they be young or old, as the parts maybe adjusted to any size hand or length of fingers.

Having now described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

v1. In a finger exercising apparatus, the; combination, substantially as described, of a series of' levers provided with a retaining device for the linger ends, a camshaft for oscillating said levers, and a driving-Wheel for ro,- tating the cam-shaft. i

2. In a nger exercising apparatus, the combination, substantially as described, of' a series ot' levers provided with a retaining device for theinger ends, a cani-shaft for oscillating the levers, a driving-Wheelfor rotatingV the camshaft, anda rest or support for the hand arranged in front of the levers.

1- 3. In-a linger exercising apparatus, the combination, substantially as described ,vof a series of levers provdedwith aretaining dejvioe for the linger ends, a cam-shaft for` oscillating the levers, adriving-Wheel for rotating the cam-shaft, anda rest or support for the hand, arranged in front of the levers, and adapted for adjustment toward or from the lever ends.

4. In a finger exercising apparatus, the

combination, substantially as described, of aV series of levers provided with a retaining device for the linger ends, a camshaft-for oscillat ing the levers, a driving-wheel for rotating the cam-shat't,and a rest or support for the hand,Y

arranged in front of` the levers, and adapted for adj ustmentin the plane of thelongitudinal axis of the levers, and in planes at right angles thereto.

5. In a nger exercising apparatus, the

combination, substantially as described, of' the,l drivingpulley` P, with the cam shaft S', its.

driven-pulley P', and the board K, on which said shaft is mounted, said board being adaptv ed for adjustment toward and from the ax-isof;

rotation of said driving-pulley.

6. In a fingerexercising apparatus, the

combination, substantially as described, of' the.

8. In a nger exercising apparatus, the

combination, substantially as described, with the levers L, of the removable blocks, L.

9; In a finger exercising'apparatus,.the, combination, substantially as described, withthe levers L, of the drum D, provided with concentric-rows of'slots, and teeth or cam pro-4 jections transferable in said slots, onthe periphery of the drum,.for the purpose specified.

l0. In afinger exercising apparatus, the` combination, substantially as described, with the levers L, ofthe drum D, provided with peripheral slots D, and the cams C, provided IIO on their under side with adouble-T projectiom C', and at one end with a spring, e2.

11. In a finger -exercising apparatus, the combination, substantially as described, with the levers L, of the hand-support, consistingv of the vertically, longitudinally, and laterally* adjustablevblocks O Q.

12. In a fingerexercising apparatus, the combination, substantially as described, with the lever-support K, of the plate II, the rods. l', the rails I U, set-screws 'i u, the carriages IWI Q', the blocks O Q, and the clamping-screws m Uf, said parts being constructed and arranged for operation for the purpose specified.

13. In a finger exercising apparatus, the

combination, substantially as described, withA the lever-support K, of the plate H, the rods I', rails I U, carriages M Q', blocksO Q, and

theadj usting-screwsN q', Said parts being coni.

strueted and arranged foroperation, as described. v

14. In a linger exercising apparatus, the;

combination, substantially as.described,-w;th

the lever-support K, of the plate H, the handfrom the axis of rotation of the driving-pu1ley, rest-s supported thereupon,t11e threaded sleeve and mechanism for adjusting the hand-rest h', and the screw-spindle'h, said parts being supportfindependently of the leversupport,

constructed and arranged for operation for. for the purpose specified. I5

5 the purpose stated. p In testimony whereof I afx my signature in 15. In al finger exercising apparatus, the presence of two witnesses. combination,substantia1 ly as herein described,

with thestand or table, irstop B, and the driv- CARL DEBUYSLRE' ing-pu1ley mounted on said stand, of the leven Vitnesses: y ro support K and the hand-rest support H, ad- ADOLF DEMELIUs,

justable jointly on the stand-top toward and n B. ROI. 

